Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Malheur County
Malheur County lies in the Central Rocky and Blue Mountain Foothills (MLRA 10) region. Elevation averages about 3,943 feet.
Malheur County averages 12.6 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 245 days. Annual mean temperature is 48.5°F.
Malheur County's agricultural base centers on cattle, corn, and wheat. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 861 farms working 1,130,142 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 6,562 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Eastern Oregon / Snake River |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Corn, Wheat, Dairy, Honey |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 20+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-09-08
Your Local USDA Offices
Your nearest USDA Service Center houses both NRCS (conservation programs like EQIP and CSP) and FSA (loans, disaster assistance, farm numbers). Here are the offices serving Malheur County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
2925 SW 6th Ave, Ontario, OR 97914
Office info is from USDA’s published directory. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.
What to do when you call: Ask to schedule a meeting with a conservation planner (for EQIP/CSP) or a loan officer (for FSA programs). Mention the type of operation you run and what improvements you're considering.
Forage and Grazing in Malheur County
Malheur County reported 6,562 head of cattle across roughly 876,026 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows March green-up and a May growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Malheur County.
Farm Structure in Malheur County
Irrigation covers about 13% of farmland in Malheur County, roughly 146,174 acres. Farms average 1,313 acres, with about 26% classed as small operations. Around 27% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Malheur County
Malheur County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, and corn. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Malheur County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Malheur County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Irrigation efficiency is the top priority, the Owyhee and Malheur Projects need modernization. Cover cropping and soil health on irrigated cropland are strong fits. The dual nature of the county (irrigated crops + range cattle) means two different sets of EQIP practices apply.
Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener. It takes 2 minutes and generates a personalized action packet you can print and bring to your USDA office.
Local Conservation Priorities
Each county's NRCS Local Working Group sets the conservation practices that score highest for EQIP funding. Knowing your county's priorities before you apply can significantly improve your ranking.
How to find your county's priorities:
- Call your local NRCS office and ask: "What practices is the Local Working Group prioritizing this year?"
- Ask which EQIP ranking pool your operation fits (there may be separate pools for livestock, cropland, forestry, etc.)
- Check your state NRCS website for published ranking criteria
Counties Bordering Malheur County
Malheur County shares borders with Canyon County, Idaho, Owyhee County, Idaho, Payette County, Idaho, Washington County, Idaho, Humboldt County, Nevada, and Baker County, Oregon. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.
Your Next Steps in Malheur County
- Run the eligibility screener to see which programs fit your operation: Free Screener
- Find your local USDA Service Center and call to schedule a meeting: Service Center Locator
- Read the full Oregon guide for statewide program details, deadlines, and office contacts: Oregon Farm Programs Guide
Built by ranchers who've been through it. Every guide on this site is free.